It could be a league rule, but the USBC rule is you can't switch hands in the middle of a tournament and does not address one-handed or two-handed style (though they may have done so at the convention a week or so ago). FYI, Osku Palermaa is a well-known two-hander, but switches to one-handed when shooting spares.

Is this a youth league or adult league? If it's adult league then what Richie says is true, it would have to be a league/tournament rule. USBC has ruled on this several years ago. As long as the bowler is using the same dominant hand for the swing and release it is legal to go from one handed to two handed and back. In the online rule book at bowl.com, it can be found in rule 118b-Commonly Asked Questions. It is 118b/3.

Rule 118b also states: A bowler using a two-handed delivery will establish an average with two hands. When the bowler changes to a one-handed delivery, they must establish a new average using that hand.

FYI, Osku Palermaa is a well-known two-hander, but switches to one-handed when shooting spares.

Right. So could it be that singled-handed spares are allowed, but switching to single-handed strikes are not allowed? Why should there be ANY rule? As Belmonte describes his style, it's a two-handed approach, but a one-handed delivery.

There is another guy that uses a "mini" two-handed approach. They guy who was laid off from GM. Maybe his style would never have developed if rules were made too strict and nonsensical.

Who told you that, another bowler, or a tournament official? USBC loves two handed bowlers just look at all the marketing they are putting towards the style.

I was told that it was a youth coach who said it.

(If a two-handed bowler is scoring with a plastic or urethane ball, but a hook bowler is winning with a super, glowing, radioactive particle ball, who would be considered more skilled and true to the game?)

Is this a youth league or adult league? If it's adult league then what Richie says is true, it would have to be a league/tournament rule. USBC has ruled on this several years ago. As long as the bowler is using the same dominant hand for the swing and release it is legal to go from one handed to two handed and back. In the online rule book at bowl.com, it can be found in rule 118b-Commonly Asked Questions. It is 118b/3.

Rule 118b also states: A bowler using a two-handed delivery will establish an average with two hands. When the bowler changes to a one-handed delivery, they must establish a new average using that hand.

Is this a youth league or adult league? If it's adult league then what Richie says is true, it would have to be a league/tournament rule. USBC has ruled on this several years ago. As long as the bowler is using the same dominant hand for the swing and release it is legal to go from one handed to two handed and back. In the online rule book at bowl.com, it can be found in rule 118b-Commonly Asked Questions. It is 118b/3.

Rule 118b also states: A bowler using a two-handed delivery will establish an average with two hands. When the bowler changes to a one-handed delivery, they must establish a new average using that hand.

What if the person switches for spares?

I think the spirit of the rule for people to not sandbag, I guess.

You can switch to one handed for spares and vice versa as long as the ball is in the same dominant hand. USBC release a statement about that on the bowl.com website either last year or the year before. That is for adults, I believe in youth leagues/tournaments they have to use one or the other.

Originally Posted By: B-Hammer

When your in a scratch tourney, league, or association you can use whatever hand or hands you want as there is no handicap adjustment involved.

I believe that is false, as handicap isn't the reason for the rule. Averages are still maintained and all USBC sanctioned averages have to be maintained using either one hand or the other and no combination of both.

You can switch to one handed for spares and vice versa as long as the ball is in the same dominant hand. USBC release a statement about that on the bowl.com website either last year or the year before. That is for adults, I believe in youth leagues/tournaments they have to use one or the other.

Averages are still maintained and all USBC sanctioned averages have to be maintained using either one hand or the other and no combination of both.

If youths are not allowed to switch, it might discourage them from using different styles or cause them to have lower scores. Then they may never become pros that switch between styles. What good is that?

I guess the popularity of the two-handed style is still fairly new and the rules haven't quite been ironed out yet.

(I freaked momentarily when someone joked about the helicopter technique not being allowed in league or tournament. haha I had a stronger reaction to the two-handed issue. I just hate the thought of an organisation putting unreasonable limits of individuals.)

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